Don’t settle for an acceptable resume — you deserve the best. But what is the best resume template?
The best resume templates are easy to read, formatted appropriately and can pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS) without a problem. Using the best resume template will keep you from writing a resume from scratch, giving you more time to focus on your job search.
Let’s review the best, highest quality templates on the market.
12 best resume templates
There are thousands of resume templates available, and only a handful would qualify as the best.
We’ve identified the top 12 best resume templates in our library. These premium designs are among the most popular, each one offering unique benefits to job seekers. However, if you’re looking for plug-and-play resumes for specific software programs, we also offer free downloadable Microsoft Word templates and Google Doc templates to use as you’d like.
Okay, let’s look closely at the best resume templates to use in 2023.
How to choose the best resume template
You may be thinking, “Okay, even if these are the best resume templates, how do I know which one is right for me?”
There’s no secret to choosing a template. You should pick the best resume template for the company and industry in which you’re seeking work.
When selecting a design, there are four primary resume template types to remember:
- Simple templates cut to the chase by showcasing a candidate’s work experience, skills and education in a clean, elegant design.
- Professional templates upgrade the simple template with stylistic choices that project an extra level of authority.
- Modern templates offer a contemporary spin on the resume with stylish fonts, judicious use of color and spacious layouts.
- Creative templates combine uncommon color and design choices to surprise and delight the recruiter.
Ultimately, you should choose the template type that works best for your career. For example, simple and professional layouts are ideal for highly professional fields like medicine and law, while more colorful templates will serve candidates looking for work in a creative field.
Just be sure to pair your best resume template with a cover letter.
Find the best cover letter template
Make your resume template look even better by including a matching cover letter template. Cover letters are great for setting yourself apart from similarly qualified applicants. Giving your resume and cover letter matching designs will make you even more impressive.
Here’s how to find and use an appropriate cover letter template:
- Choose a cover letter template that matches your resume.
- Make sure the cover letter formatting is also the same.
- Read a cover letter writing guide and review cover letter examples to ensure your content is stellar.
- Turn your cover letter into a PDF and merge it with your resume file.
FAQ
Whichever template you choose, we recommend setting it up in a reverse-chronological resume format. Among the three resume formats, chronological places the greatest emphasis on work history, recounting highlights from each job beginning with your most recent one. We suggest picking a template that’s appropriate for your industry, then reading the chronological resume format guide as you fill it out. That way, you’ll make the most of the template.
You’ll find some of the best free resume templates on our Microsoft Word template and Google Doc template pages. These free templates are colorful, well-designed and just as professional as anything you’ll see in a paid template. Simply download the Word Docs or open a Google Doc in your browser and customize it to your liking.
Employers prefer resumes with simple, easy-to-read designs. That’s why the chronological resume, which emphasizes work history above all else, is so popular with recruiters and hiring managers. They love to see a clear career trajectory, including the top achievements for each position, laid out in a concise fashion. While chronological is best for most people, a handful of job seekers would be better served by the alternative skills-based resume format, particularly candidates who lack a work history.
In 2023 a resume should be professionally designed and easy to read. The recruiter must be able to scan every section — work history, summary, skills — and understand the candidate’s selling point. The resume should also be formatted to bypass an employer’s applicant tracking system (ATS), which means not including any unusual design elements or funky fonts.